Apparatus for mixing fluids

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for separation of suspended solid particles from fluids, for separation and mixing of fluids, and for dissolving gases in aqueous fluids. The apparatus employs a grooved ring to divide the fluid stream and impart a high velocity on each of the divided or sub-streams. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be spiral in shape is used to create a high velocity circular motion on a divided stream for separation of suspended solid particles by centrifugal force in a cyclone filter and for saturation of liquid with gases in a fluid mixer where gases are introduced through a diffuser. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be radial is used in a fluid mixer to divide a stream of fluid, produce a high velocity flow through each groove, introduce a second fluid through an orifice into the first fluid flowing through each groove, and direct the fluid mixture to a center impact zone where the various streams collide to complete the mixing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to methods and apparatus of physicalseparation of solids from fluids or for mixing two fluids. Morespecifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus forseparating solids from fluids and mixing fluids by using a ring having aplurality of grooves through which fluid passes. The methods andapparatus of the present invention are particularly suitable for use intreatment of aqueous fluids, such as water and wastewater, by dynamicseparation of contaminants to be removed and by dynamic mixing oftreating agents to be added as part of treatment.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Commercial and industrial processes currently employ countlessoperations involving mixing of fluids (liquids with liquids, gases withliquids, and gases with gases) or separation of fluids or solids fromother fluids

[0005] For example, excessive contaminants must be removed from thewastewater of food service institutions (restaurants, cafeterias,hospitals, etc.) before the water may be discharged. If establisheddischarge-contamination levels are exceeded, cities and othergovernmental authorities may impose surcharges on the food serviceinstitutions. These surcharges increase the costs of doing business.

[0006] Typically, food service establishments are required to havegrease interceptors, commonly called “grease traps,” installed inwastewater outlets with sampling wells downstream of the grease trapsbefore the discharge enters the public sewage lines so the authoritiescan check the discharge from each facility. When the grease traps becomefull, the contaminants collected in them are removed by vacuum trucksand further treated before discharging to the public sewage.

[0007] In addition to the problem of discharging excessive contaminantsto public sewage systems, animal fat rendered during the cooking processcan congeal when mixed with cold water and clog up the drain lines fromthe kitchens to the grease traps. When this occurs, the businesses maybe shutdown and typically require routing out with a rotor cutter drivenby a mechanical cable to open the lines.

[0008] Some of the contaminants are destroyed in the grease traps bybacteria. When the contaminants exceed the capacity of what the bacteriacan consume, they must be removed from the grease traps by vacuumtrucks, or they are discharged to the public sewer, which can result insurcharges as mentioned above.

[0009] Bacteria are active only at the limited outer surface of thecontaminants to be consumed as food. The bacteria produce enzymes todisperse the contaminants and increase the amount of surface, and theamount of food, available to them. A different enzyme may be required todisperse each contaminant present. When the food is available, bacteriacan reproduce in large quantities in very short periods of time. Oxygendissolved in the water drained into grease traps can become quicklydepleted, and aerobic bacteria (those requiring oxygen continuously inorder to survive) die. This leaves the task of consuming thecontaminants to the anaerobic bacteria (those requiring the absence ofoxygen in order to survive). Anaerobic bacteria are not as efficient asaerobic bacteria in consuming the contaminants, and they also produceoffensive odors in the process of consuming their food. The offensiveodors are prevalent around businesses with grease traps.

[0010] Feeding aerobic bacteria in the drain lines from the kitchens hasbeen somewhat successful at either keeping the lines from clogging orincreasing the intervals between the times mechanical routing isrequired. As soon as the aerobic bacteria reaches the grease trap withthe oxygen depleted, they die.

[0011] Attempts have been made to keep the bacteria alive by bubblingair in grease traps with limited success. Bubbling air even with thefinest diffusers creates a large amount of foam in the grease traps.Therefore, air injection has been largely limited to short periods oftime and to smaller systems.

[0012] Air bubbles rise quickly out of the water, and the bottom of thegrease traps return to an anaerobic condition almost immediatelypreventing the efficient aerobic bacteria from consuming the solids onthe bottom of the grease trap. This limits the bubbling of air to theupper part of the grease trap. When oxygen reaches the anaerobicbacteria on the bottom of the grease trap, they die. Therefore, aperiodic kill of the anaerobic bacteria on the solids settled on thebottom of the grease trap can be expected. When left for an extendedperiod of time, the solids on the bottom of the grease trap can becomepacked and act as a seal to prevent oxygen from penetrating into thesolids. Only floating contaminants are then consumed by the aerobicbacteria. The offensive odors are also not eliminated.

[0013] Therefore, in the food service industry, there is a need for anefficient apparatus and method that can effectively remove particlesfrom wastewater without the problems mentioned above, e.g. incurringsurcharges for unsuccessfully meeting contaminant levels, producingoffensive odors, requiring the introduction of bubbling air, thusincreasing costs, etc.

[0014] Another industry faced with the problem of removing contaminantsfrom fluids is the vehicle washing industry. Water used for vehiclewashing typically contains significant amounts of suspended solids,dissolved minerals, and organic materials, including oils and otherhydrocarbons. Detergents and other chemicals used in the wash operationpresent further difficulties to the discharge problems. The wash waterwith the contaminants is typically drained into some type of still poolas a pit or sump. Some of the still pools function as settling basinsfor the suspended solids and as oil interceptors similar to the greasetraps used in food processing facilities.

[0015] The water is typically reused in the washing part of the washcycle until it becomes apparent that the quality of the vehicle wash isno longer satisfactory. Vacuum trucks are then used to remove thecontaminants from the sumps and haul them away to disposal sites. Stillpools are optimal breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria, which give offa strong and unpleasant odor. The offensive odors are often detected bycustomers, especially early in the morning when the systems have beenshutdown for the night. Bubbling large quantities of air in the stillpools can reduce the offensive odors.

[0016] The bubbling of air continuously can cause a foaming problem inthe sumps. In addition to the offensive odors, governmental regulationsmay limit the amount of contaminants that can be discharged into thepublic sewer systems and totally prevent discharge to the environments.

[0017] Multiple attempts have been made to improve the process ofseparating particles from fluid. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,977discloses that the water from vehicle wash facilities can be completelyrecycled, without water discharge. However, where the cost of water isnot a factor and the public sewage system can accept certaincontaminants, a complete recycling system may not be cost justified. Insuch systems, aeration by dissolved oxygen can be used to element thefoul odors without the foaming problems typically caused by continuouslybubbling air in the sumps. Additional treatment to remove the suspendedsolids and reduce the organic materials in the sump, other thandetergents, can render the water suitable for reuse in the washing partof the vehicle wash cycle, or for discharge where permitted in selectedpublic sewage systems.

[0018] Another industry faced with the problem of separation ofsuspended solid particles from fluids is the water treatment industry.Typically, the solid particles are removed by settling in still pools,centrifugal separation by cyclone filters, and adding flocculatingaccelerators followed by clarification. Secondary filtration of thefluids often follows the bulk removal operations. The solid particleshave to be concentrated and dewatered after separation for disposal.These steps may increase the time and money associated with theparticle-removal operation.

[0019] An industry having the need to aerate water is the livestockindustry. Concentrated animal feeding operations including cattle,swine, poultry, sheep, horses, etc. typically have ponds called“lagoons” in which all animal waste is collected. Aeration withdissolved air in water continuously circulating through the lagoonsallows naturally occurring bacteria to thrive in the nutrient richenvironment of lagoons and greatly accelerate decomposition of theorganic waste. Similarly aquatic farms, such as for fish and shrimp,with concentrations of species may require injection of supplementaryoxygen in the water to replace oxygen consumed by decaying plants.

[0020] To remove contaminants from wastewater, many present applicationsemploy a cyclone filter. A typical cyclone filter is an apparatus thatcan be used to separate suspended solids from fluids (such as solidsfrom water and air) and to separate fluids of different densities (suchas oil and water) by using the centrifugal force caused by a forcedspiral vortex. The external force used to generate the spiral vortex ina cyclone filter is typically provided by injecting a stream of acontaminated fluid at high velocity into the filter at one endperpendicular and at a tangent to the cylinder in which the fluidcirculation occurs. The axis of circulation in a cyclone filter can beat any angle from vertical to horizontal.

[0021] When the axis of circulation is vertical, the direction of theforces of gravity are, therefore, equal around the entire circular pathof the fluid. When the axis of circulation is at some angle other thanvertical, the design of the cyclone filter has to account for thedifferences in the direction of the forces of gravity acting on thefluid as it flows while circulating with or against the forces ofgravity.

[0022] The design of the inlet through which the high velocity fluid isintroduced becomes a major factor in the effectiveness of presentcyclone filters, especially in the separation of very fine (small) solidparticles from fluids.

[0023] Present cyclone filters typically have only one inlet throughwhich the fluid and contaminant mixture is introduced. The single inletmay be typically round or rectangular. And in present cyclone filters,the inlet must supply fluid tangentially to the filter. This may lead todifficulties in certain applications.

[0024] Several attempts have been made to improve the efficiency andeffectiveness of cyclone filters. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,530describes using a cyclone separator in which the lower frustoconicalsurface contains porous surfaces. The cyclone separator of the '530patent may be used for separating a suspension. However, it has beenfound that over time, particles concentrate along the inner walls of theapparatus as a result of centrifugal forces and tend to clump togetherand adhere to the porous walls. This clump formation or caking impedesthe exit of the carrier fluid through the porous walls.

[0025] Other attempts include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,021,165, 5,478,484, and 6,024,874. However, these attempts generallyrequire the incoming fluid to be tangentially fed into cyclone filter.This limits the use of the filters when tangential feeding is notpossible, for example.

[0026] Thus, a need exists for an improved apparatus and method ofremoving particles from fluids. It is desirable that the apparatus andmethod remove particles at a desired level to reduce the chance of theimposition of a surcharge. It is desirable that the method should notincrease costs or increase time involved in removing the particles. Anapparatus that does not have to input the fluid tangentially is desired.A need also exists for an improved method of mixing fluids or aeratingfluids in a timely fashion.

[0027] It will become clear to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure that the methods and apparatus in accordancewith he present invention overcome, or at least minimize, thedeficiencies of existing mixing apparatus and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention provides a new method and apparatus forseparation of suspended solids from aqueous fluids, for separation andmixing of fluids, and for dissolving gases in aqueous fluids. Anapparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention mayemploy a grooved ring to divide the fluid stream and impart a highvelocity on each of the divided streams. A grooved ring with any numberof grooves that may be spiraled may be employed to create a highvelocity circular motion on the divided stream for separation ofsuspended solid particles by centrifugal force in a cyclone filter andfor saturation of liquids with gases in a fluid mixer where gases areintroduced through a diffuser.

[0029] A grooved ring with any number of grooves, that may be radial, isdescribed in another embodiment as fluid mixer to divide a stream offluid, produce a high velocity flow through each groove, introduce asecond fluid through an orifice into the first fluid flowing througheach groove, and direct the fluid mixture to a center impact zone wherethe various streams collide to complete the mixing.

[0030] Another embodiment of a cyclone filter of the present inventionconsists of a spiral-grooved ring inlet, a down-flow annulus between along outer cylinder and a short inner cylinder, a wider solid particlecollection chamber below the long cylinder, a fluid interceptorpositioned just below the long cylinder in the collection chamber, and avortex finder and outlet in the inside diameter of the short innercylinder of the annulus. Fluid contaminated with solid particles mayenter the cyclone filter and may be divided to flow through any numberof spiral grooves in the spiral-grooved ring then injected at highvelocity around the circumference of the down-flow annulus to spiraldownward.

[0031] The solid particles migrate to the outside of the circulatingstream and are separated from the fluid at the bottom of the longcylinder as the flow is reversed by the interceptor to flow upward inthe low pressure center of the circulating stream to the vortex finderand out the top of the filter.

[0032] Another embodiment of a cyclone filter of the present inventionconsists of a spiral-grooved ring inlet, a housing having an uppercylinder and a lower cone, a vortex finder and fluid outlet in the topcenter of the upper cylinder, and a solid particle outlet at the bottomof the cone. The spiral-grooved ring inlet is positioned outside theupper cylinder. Fluid contaminated with solid particles enters thecyclone filter and flows through the grooves in the spiral-grooved ringthen injected at high velocity in a number of streams around thecircumference and at a tangent to the top inside diameter of the uppercylinder creating a centrifugal force to drive the solid particlesagainst the inside diameter of the upper cylinder and lower cone as itspirals downward. The solid particles continue to flow downward and areseparated from the fluid and out the bottom of the cone as the fluidflow is reversed by the decreasing area of the cone to flow upward inthe low pressure center of the circulating stream to the vortex finderand out the top of the filter.

[0033] Another embodiment of a cyclone filter of the present inventionhas the same housing with the spiral-grooved ring on the outside as theembodiment described above with a narrow annulus added just inside theupper cylinder with the incoming fluid injected in multiple highvelocity streams into the annulus to spiral downward to exit the annulusin the lower part of the cylinder away from the outlet as a narrow highvelocity stream against the cylinder wall. The narrow annulus eliminatesthe need for a vortex finder as part of the outlet in many applications.

[0034] Another embodiment of a cyclone filter of the present inventionhas a grooved ring mounted inside the narrow annulus around the outleton large cyclone filters with the fluid injected from the inside outwardinto the annulus.

[0035] A fluid mixer is described. In one embodiment the fluid mixer ofthe present invention is applied as a dissolved gas generator consistingof a cylinder used as the housing, a spiral-grooved ring liquid inletlocated on the outside near the top of the cylinder, an inverted conegas diffuser mounted in the center of the cylinder below the level ofthe spiral-grooved ring inlet, a gas inlet to the diffuser, an excessgas outlet in the top of the cylinder, and a saturated fluid outlet inthe bottom of the cylinder. The liquid enters the fluid mixer and flowsthrough the grooves of the spiral-grooved ring then injected at highvelocity in a number of streams around the circumference of the cylindercreating a circular flow above the inverted cone diffuser with a vortexat its center. The circulating liquid flows downward around the invertedcone diffuser and intercepts and dissolves the gas distributed throughthe diffuser as it flows upward. The liquid saturated with the gascontinues to flow downward and out of the fluid mixer through the bottomoutlet. The excess gas flows upward past the inverted cone diffuser andis separated from the liquid in the vortex and released to atmospherefrom the top of the fluid mixer.

[0036] Another embodiment of the fluid mixer of the present invention isalso applied as a dissolved gas generator consisting of an upperhousing, an orifice ring, a radial-grooved ring, and a lower cylinderwith a cap. The upper housing has a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, an excessgas separation zone, and an excess gas outlet. The orifice ring and theradial-grooved ring are mounted inside the upper housing with theorifice ports in the orifice ring positioned over the grooves in theradial-grooved ring. Liquid enters the fluid mixer and flows through thegrooves in the radial-grooved ring where gas is injected through theorifice ring into each of the high velocity streams. The liquid-gasmixture stream in each groove is injected into the impact zone tocollide with each other. The liquid becomes saturated and flows downwardinto the lower cylinder where the excess gas forms bubbles and flowsupward to return to the impact zone. The saturated liquid exits throughthe bottom of the fluid mixer. The excess gas flows to the gasseparation zone above the impact zone, separated from the liquid, andreleased to atmosphere.

[0037] Another embodiment of the fluid mixer of the present invention isused for mixing liquids, for mixing gases, and for mixing liquids andgases where excess gases do not have to be separated from the liquids.The fluid mixer consists of an upper housing, an orifice ring, aradial-grooved ring, and a short cylinder with a cap. The center of theradial-grooved ring serves as an impact zone to which the streams aredirected. The first fluid enters the fluid mixer and flows through thegrooves in the grooved ring where a second fluid is injected through theorifice ring into each of the high velocity streams. The fluid mixturein each of the radial grooves is then injected at high velocity into theimpact zone to collide with each other and become completely mixed. Thefluid mixture flows downward out of the impact zone into the lowercylinder and out the bottom of the fluid mixer.

[0038] Another embodiment of the fluid mixer of the present invention isalso used for mixing liquids, for mixing gases, and for mixing liquidsand gases where excess gases do not have to be separated from theliquids. The fluid mixer consists of an upper housing, a radial-groovedring, a combination venturi-orifice ring positioned with the venturi andorifice ports in each groove of the radial-groove ring in order to drawby suction a second fluid into each stream, and an impact zone tocomplete the mixing of various fluids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a cyclone filterillustrating the fluid flow pattern through a spiral-grooved ring inaccordance with the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 2 depicts a three dimensional view of a spiral-grooved ringin accordance with the present invention identifying the depth of thegrooves.

[0041]FIG. 3 depicts a second three dimensional view of a spiral-groovedring in accordance with the present invention illustrating deepergrooves.

[0042]FIGS. 4 and 5 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of acyclone filter employing a spiral-grooved ring to divide the enteringfluid and inject the fluid in high velocity multiple streams into anannulus in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates thehorizontal flow of the fluid as it enters the cyclone filter. FIG. 5 isa fluid flow diagram illustrating the vertical flow of the fluid throughthe components of the cyclone filter.

[0043]FIGS. 6 and 7 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of acyclone filter employing a spiral-grooved ring mounted outside thehousing to divide the entering fluid and inject the fluid in highvelocity multiple streams into and at a tangent to a cylinder above thecone shaped housing in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6illustrates the horizontal flow of the fluid as it enters the cyclonefilter. FIG. 7 is a fluid flow diagram illustrating the vertical flow ofthe fluid through the components of the cyclone filter.

[0044]FIGS. 8 and 9 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of acyclone filter employing a spiral-grooved ring mounted outside thehousing to divide the entering fluid and inject the fluid in highvelocity multiple streams into an annulus in the outer diameter of acylinder above the cone shaped housing in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 8 illustrates the horizontal flow of the fluid as itenters the cyclone filter. FIG. 9 is a fluid flow diagram illustratingthe vertical flow of the fluid through the components of the cyclonefilter.

[0045]FIGS. 10 and 11 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of acyclone filter employing a spiral-grooved ring mounted inside thehousing to divide the entering fluid and inject the fluid in highvelocity multiple streams into an annulus in the outer diameter of acylinder above the cone shaped housing in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 10 illustrates the horizontal flow of the fluid as itenters the cyclone filter. FIG. 11 is a fluid flow diagram illustratingthe vertical flow of the fluid through the components of the cyclonefilter.

[0046]FIG. 12 is a three dimensional illustration of a typicalspiral-grooved ring mounted inside the upper part of the cyclone filterhousing in accordance with the present invention.

[0047]FIGS. 13 and 14 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of afluid mixer used as a dissolved gas generator employing thespiral-grooved ring mounted outside the housing and a diffuser mountedinside the housing for saturating liquids with dissolved gases inaccordance with the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrates thehorizontal flow of the fluid as it enters the fluid mixer. FIG. 14 is afluid flow diagram illustrating the vertical flow of the fluids throughthe components of the fluid mixer.

[0048] FIGS. 15-17 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of a fluidmixer used as a dissolved gas generator employing a radial-grooved ring,an orifice ring positioned with the orifice ports over each groove inorder to inject a gas into each stream, and an impact zone forsaturating liquids with dissolved gases in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 15 illustrates the horizontal flow of the liquid as itenters the fluid mixer and flows through the radial-grooved ring. FIG.16 illustrates the horizontal flow of the liquid as it enters the fluidmixer and flows through the radial-grooved ring with an orifice ringpositioned with the orifice ports over each groove in order to inject agas into each stream. FIG. 17 is a fluid flow diagram illustrating thevertical flow of the fluids through the components of the fluid mixer.

[0049]FIG. 18 is fluid diagrams of another embodiment of a fluid mixeremploying a radial-grooved ring, an orifice ring positioned with theorifice ports over each groove in order to inject a second fluid intoeach stream, and an impact zone for mixing various fluids withoutprovisions for releasing excess gases in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0050] FIGS. 19-20 are fluid diagrams of another embodiment of a fluidmixer employing a radial-grooved ring, a combination venturi-orificering positioned with the venturi and orifice ports in each groove inorder to draw a second fluid into each stream, and an impact zone formixing the various fluids in accordance with the present invention.

[0051]FIGS. 21A and 21B provide three-dimensional illustrations of atypical radial-grooved ring and a combination venturi-orifice ring usedin the fluid mixer in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The dynamics of fluid flow generally can be mathematicallyexpressed by conservation of energy, momentum, and impulse. When fluidflows in a curved path, pressure is increased (1) with the radialdistance from the center of rotation outward, (2) with the angularvelocity of the fluid, and (2) with the unit mass of the fluid. A fluidmay rotate in a closed vessel by applying an external force resulting ina forced vortex. If the entire body of fluid rotates together with allparticles rotating in a concentric circle, a cylindrical vortex isformed. If radial flow is combined with the circular flow, a forcedspiral vortex results. The forced spiral vortex can be used forseparation of fluids by density, separation of suspended solids fromfluids also by density, and the mixing of various fluids.

[0053] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below asthey might be employed in the use of methods and apparatus forseparating fluids, mixing fluids, and separating solids from fluids. Inthe interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification. It will of course be appreciatedthat in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

[0054] Further aspects and advantages of the various embodiments of theinvention will become apparent from consideration of the followingdescription and drawings.

[0055] Referring now to the drawings in more detail, and particular toFIG. 1, therein is depicted in schematic representation of the inlet ofa cyclone filter 1 in accordance with the present invention forseparating suspended solids from an aqueous fluid, such as water, bycentrifugal force. The cyclone filter 1 consists of an inlet 2, adistribution channel 3, a spiral-grooved ring 4 with multiple grooves 5,a down-flow annulus 6, and an up-flow outlet 7. The arrows indicate thedirection of flow.

[0056] Fluid, such as water, containing suspended solids flows into thefilter system 1 through inlet 2 and flows into a distribution channel 3around spiral grooved ring 4 then into four spiral grooves 5 where thevelocity is increased and injected into the down-flow annulus 6 at atangent to the circle formed by the outside diameter of the down-flowannulus 6 to flow downward in a spiral motion. The four spiral grooves 5are illustrated each with the same width as the down-flow annulus 6. Thenumber and depth of the spiral grooves 5 are selected to provide theoptimum fluid velocity at the application flowrate. The centrifugalforce causes the heaviest materials in the circulating fluid to flow tothe outside edges of the annulus 6 as the water spirals downward. It iswell understood by those skilled in the art that the higher the velocityof the water in circulation the smaller the particles that can beremoved at any given flowrate.

[0057] In FIG. 2 is depicted a three-dimensional spiral grooved ring 8having four spiral grooves 9 with a certain depth. The depth and widthof the four grooves 9 are selected to provide the optimum water flowvelocity to be injected into the down-flow annulus.

[0058]FIG. 3 illustrates a second spiral-grooved ring 10 having fourgrooves 11 that are deeper than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Any desiredfluid velocity could be obtained by simply changing the replaceablespiral grooved ring.

[0059]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate simplified horizontal and verticalschematics of a cyclone filter in accordance with the present invention.The cyclone filter 12 consists of an inlet 13, a distribution channel14, a spiral-grooved ring 15 with multiple spiral grooves 18, adown-flow annulus 16, a collection chamber 23 for the separated solids24, a deflector 22, a vortex finder 19, and an outlet 17.

[0060]FIG. 4 illustrates the horizontal flow of water as it enters thecyclone filter 12. The arrows indicate the direction of water flow.Referring to FIG. 4 water containing the suspended particles to beremoved enters the filter through the inlet 13 and flows into thedistribution channel 14 and flows in both directions around thespiral-grooved ring 15. The water from the distribution channel 14 isthen divided and flows into the four grooves 18 where its velocity isincreased then injected into the down-flow annulus 16 and flows downwardin a spiral motion. The suspended solids are separated from the water inthe lower part of the filter, and the water flows upward and out of thefilter through the outlet 17.

[0061]FIG. 5 illustrates the flow pattern of the water in a verticalschematic of the cyclone filter 12. Again, water containing thesuspended solids to be removed enters the filter through inlet 13 andflows into the distribution channel 14 around the spiral-grooved disc15. The circulating water flows through the spiral grooves 18 and isinjected at a high velocity into the down-flow annulus 16 and flowsdownward in a spiral motion 20. The centrifugal force caused by thecirculating water drives the suspended particles the outer diameter ofthe down-flow annulus 16 and causes a vortex 21 to form in the center. Adeflector 22 is located in the lower part of the filter where thediameter is increased. The increase in diameter allows the solidparticles to flow outward away from the down-flow annulus while thedeflector 22 causes the water to reverse and flow upward in the lowerpressure center of the stream and out through the outlet 17. The solidparticles 24 accumulate in a collection chamber 23 in the lower part ofthe filter 12 below the deflector 22 and are periodically removedthrough the bottom outlet valve 25.

[0062]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate simplified horizontal and verticalschematics of another embodiment of a cyclone filter 26 in accordancewith the present invention. The cyclone filter 26 consists of an inlet27, a distribution channel 32, a spiral-grooved ring 28 with multiplespiral grooves 30, a cylinder 34 in which the fluid is made tocirculate, a lower cone 37, and a cone outlet 38, sometimes referred toas an “orifice,” for discharging the solid particles separated from thefluid. The spiral-grooved ring is positioned in the outside of thecylinder 34.

[0063]FIG. 6 illustrates the horizontal flow of fluid as it enters thecyclone filter 26. The arrows indicate the direction of fluid flow.Fluid enters the filter 26 through inlet 27 and flows into thedistribution channel 32 then flows in both directions around the outsideof spiral-grooved ring 28. The fluid from the distribution channel 32 isdivided and flows into six spiral grooves 30 where its velocity isincreased then injected as narrow streams into the outer diameter 29 andtangent to the circumference of cylinder 34. Six grooves 30 are shown,as the example in this illustration, but it is clearly understood thatany number of grooves can be added based on the size of the cyclonefilter without departing from the spirit of invention.

[0064] It is understood by those skilled in the art that water injectedat multiple points in a narrow stream around and tangent to thecircumference of the filter will cause less disturbance than a single,wide stream injected at a single point. Multiple streams allow a higherinjection velocity. A conventional filter with a 2-inch, schedule-40pipe inlet would have a cross-sectional area of approximately 3.36square inches (3.36 in²). A 2-inch, schedule-80 pipe inlet would have across-sectional area of 2.95 in². Water flowing at 100gallons-per-minute (gpm) through the schedule 40 inlet would have avelocity of 9.56 feet-per-second (ft/sec), and through the schedule 80inlet a velocity of 10.86 ft/sec.

[0065] With the present invention with an equivalent rectangular inletarea having dimensions of 1.295-inches in width and 2.59-inches inheight causes less mixing of inlet and outlet fluids. Further, aspiral-grooved ring with six grooves of 0.5-inches in width and 1-inchin height provides a flow velocity of 10.694 ft/sec injected into thecylinder.

[0066] A spiral-grooved ring with eight grooves of 0.5-inches in widthand 0.75-inches in height provides a flow velocity of 10.694 ft/secalso. A spiral-grooved ring with six grooves of 0.5-inches in width and0.75-inches in height provides a flow velocity of 14.26 ft/sec, an evenbetter improvement. A spiral-grooved ring with four grooves of0.375-inches in width and 1.50-inches in height would also provide aflow velocity of 14.26 ft/sec.

[0067] The spiral-groove rings with multiple narrow streams as indicatedabove allows a larger outlet 31 without mixing the inlet and outletfluids and with less pressure drop than conventional cyclone filtersoperating at the same flowrate.

[0068]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a simplified schematic of anotherembodiment of a cyclone filter 39 in accordance with the presentinvention. The cyclone filter 39 consists of an inlet 40, a distributionchannel 45, a spiral-grooved ring 41 with multiple spiral grooves 43, acylinder 47 serving as the outer diameter of a down-flow annulus 42, aninner short cylinder or skirt 46 serving as the inside diameter of thedown-flow annulus 42, a lower cone 50, and a cone outlet 51 fordischarging solid particles separated from the fluid, and a fluid outlet44.

[0069]FIG. 8 illustrates the horizontal flow of the fluid as it entersthe cyclone filter 39. The arrows indicate the direction of fluid flow.Fluid enters the cyclone filter 39 through the inlet 40 and flows intothe distribution channel 45 in both directions around the outside of thespiral-grooved ring 41. The fluid from the distribution channel 45 isdivided and flows into six spiral grooves 43 where its velocity isincreased then injected into a narrow down-flow annulus 42. Thedown-flow annulus 42 allows the fluid to be injected at a velocity muchhigher than filters with no annulus 42 without interfering with theoutgoing fluid. The fluid flows downward in a spiral motion 48. Thecirculating fluid causes a vortex 49 to form at the low-pressure center.As the fluid flows down the lower cone 50 it is forced to the center andupward through the outlet 44. With the inner skirt 46 dividing theincoming and outgoing fluids, the outlet 44 can be much larger withoutthe need of a vortex finder. Solid particles separated from the fluidsare discharged through the outlet 51 into a collection chamber (notshown) or other receptacle.

[0070]FIGS. 10 and 11 provide simplified schematics of anotherembodiment of a cyclone filter 52 in accordance with the presentinvention. The cyclone filter 52 consists of an inlet 53, a distributionchannel 57, a spiral-grooved ring 54, a down flow annulus 58 between theoutside and inner cylinders 59 and 60 respectively, a lower cone 63, anda cone outlet 64, and a fluid outlet 56. A collection chamber (notshown) can be added to the filter.

[0071] Fluid containing the suspended solids to be removed enters thefilter through the inlet 53 and flows into the distribution channel 57inside the spiral-grooved ring 54. The fluid flows through the multiplespiral grooves 55 and injected at a high circulating velocity into thedown-flow annulus 58. The inner short cylinder or skirt 60 divides theinflow from the outflow to prevent the incoming fluid from mixing withthe outflow and also prevent any solid particle from escaping beforeseparation in the lower part of the filter. The multiple injectionpoints provided by the spiral grooves 55 with the narrow acceleratingannulus 58 divided from the outflow provides a higher tangential orhorizontal circulating fluid velocity adjacent to the outer cylinder 59.

[0072] When the fluid emerges from the lower part of the down-flowannulus 58 it is at its maximum velocity in a very narrow integratedstream creating a maximum centrifugal force at the outer diameter of thefilter with less disturbance than a wide single inlet entering andmixing with the large amount of water in the upper part of filters withlarge diameters ranging from 6 to 30 inches, or even larger. The highertangential velocity without disturbing the outflow removes finer(smaller) particles that would normally require a second smaller filterto separate them. The fluid flows downward in a spiral motion 61. Thecirculating fluid causes a vortex 62 to form at the low-pressure center.As the fluid flows down the lower cone 63 it is forced to the center andupward through the outlet 56. With the inner skirt 60 dividing theincoming and outgoing fluids, the outlet 56 can be much larger withoutthe need of a vortex finder. Solid particles separated from the fluidsare discharged through the outlet 64 into a collection chamber (notshown) or other receptacle.

[0073]FIG. 12 provides a three-dimensional illustration of an enlargedupper part of an embodiment of the cyclone filter 65 in accordance withthe present invention. The cyclone filter 65 illustrated generallyconsists of an upper flange assembly 69, a gasket 70, a spiral-groovedring assembly 71, and the top part of a lower housing 74. Thespiral-grooved ring assembly 71 has a skirt 73 and an outlet 68 as partof the ring assembly 71. The arrows indicate the direction of fluidflow. The fluid flows into the inlet 67, down the distribution channel66, into the multiple spiral grooves 72, and then injected at highvelocity into the lower housing 74.

[0074]FIGS. 13 and 14 provides a fluid schematic of an embodiment of afluid mixer 75 used as a dissolved gas generator employing the dynamicforces of flow obtained with the spiral-grooved ring in accordance withthe present invention. The fluid mixer 75 consists of a fluid inlet 76on a donut housing, a distribution channel 77, a spiral-grooved ring 78,a cylinder 87, a fluid outlet 89, a gas diffuser 80, an inletgas-metering valve 82, and an outlet gas-metering valve 84.

[0075] The fluid enters the dissolved gas generator 75 through the inlet76 and flows into the distribution channel 77 outside the spiral-groovedring 78 and flows in both directions. The fluid flows through the spiralgrooves 79 and is injected at a high circulating velocity into the upperpart of the cylinder 87 above the diffuser 80. Gas enters the diffuserthrough the inlet gas-metering valve 82 and is distributed through theporous material of the diffuser into the pressurized circulating fluidwhere it is dissolved.

[0076] The circulating fluid 86 causes a vortex 85 to form in the top ofthe cylinder 87. The top of the diffuser serves as a vortex interceptor.Excess gas is released to the atmosphere through the outlet gas-meteringvalve 84. The fluid flows downward in a spiral motion through a mixingzone 81 where it encounters gas 83 bubbling upward. The downwardspiraling fluid flows with a high enough velocity to carry the gasbubbles through the mixing zone 81.

[0077] The diffuser 80 may be an inverted cone. The cross sectional areaof the cylinder 87 outside the diffuser 80 increases downward causingthe fluid velocity to decrease as it passes the diffuser 80 cone. Thedecrease in fluid velocity allows the gas bubbles to flow upward andreturn to the mixing zone 81. The circulating gas bubbles ensures thatthe fluid becomes saturated with gas before exiting through the bottomoutlet 89.

[0078] FIGS. 15-17 depict another embodiment of a fluid mixer 90 used asa dissolved gas generator employing the dynamic forces of fluid flowobtained with a radial-grooved ring in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 15 depicts a horizontal cross sectional view of theliquid inlet to the dissolved gas generator 90 illustrating thecylindrical donut housing 91, the distribution channel 93, theradial-grooved ring 94 with 16 radial grooves 95, and an impact chamber96 to which the radial grooves 95 are directed.

[0079]FIG. 16 also provides a horizontal cross sectional view of thefluid mixer 90 with an orifice ring 97 positioned with the orifice ports98 over the radial grooves 95. The arrows indicate the direction ofliquid flow. FIG. 17 provides a vertical cross sectional view of thefluid mixer 90 assembly consisting of an cylindrical donut housing 91,an orifice ring 97, a radial-grooved ring 94, a lower cylinder 108, anda lower cylinder cap 99. The cylindrical donut housing 91 has a gasseparation chamber 104 to separate the excess gases from the liquids sothe gases can be discharged while retaining the liquid.

[0080] The center of the radial-grooved ring 94 serves as an impact zone96 into which the multiple streams of the liquid-gas mixture flowing ata high velocity are directed to collide with each other. An inletgas-metering valve 106 connected to the gas inlet 105 of the cylindricaldonut housing 91 regulates the amount of gas supplied during operation.An outlet gas-metering valve 103 connected to the gas outlet 102 of thecylindrical donut housing 91 regulates the amount of gas discharged fromthe device during operation.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 16, the arrows indicate direction of liquidflow. The liquid enters the fluid mixer 90 through the inlet 92 andflows into the distribution channel 93 in both directions around theradial grooved ring 94. The liquid is divided and flows into the radialgrooves 95 under the orifice ring 97 where gas is injected into each ofthe high velocity streams. The liquid-air mixture in each groove is theninjected into the impact zone 96.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 17, again the liquid enters through inlet 92and flows into the distribution channel 93 around the radial-groovedring 94. The liquid then flows through the radial grooves 95 where thegas is injected through the orifice 98 into each liquid stream. Theliquid-gas mixture in each of the grooves 95 is then injected at highvelocity into the impact zone 96 to collide with each other. The liquidbecomes saturated with the gas at this point. The inlet gas-meteringvalve 106 regulates the amount of gas supplied.

[0083] The saturated liquid flows downward out of the impact zone 96 andinto the larger area of the lower cylinder 108 where the velocity isdecreased. The excess gas bubbles 107 flow upward and return to theimpact zone 96. The saturated liquid continues to flow downward andexits through the outlet 109. The excess gas bubbles flow up through theimpact zone 96, and the gas is separated from the liquid in theseparation chamber 104 and released from the unit through the outletgas-metering valve 103.

[0084] The amount of gas retained in the separation chamber 104regulates the liquid level in the apparatus. The amount of gas releasedis adjusted to maintain the liquid level just above the impact zone 96,and only a small amount of gas has to be released from the chamber 104.The fluid mixer 90 is extremely effective at saturating liquid with gaswith only five parts that can be manufactured in many sizes at low cost.It can be manufactured in metal or in plastic either machined orinjected molded.

[0085]FIG. 18 depicts another embodiment of a fluid mixer 110 for mixingliquids, for mixing gases, and for mixing gases and liquids where excessgases do not have to be separated from the liquids in accordance withthe present invention. The fluid mixer 110 consists of an upper donuthousing 111, an inlet 113, an orifice ring 114, a radial-grooved ring112, a short lower cylinder 120, and a lower cylinder cap 122. Theoperation of the fluid mixer 110 is similar to the operation of theother fluid mixers previously discussed.

[0086] A first or primary fluid enters the dynamic mixer 110 through theinlet 113 and flows into the distribution channel 118 around theradial-grooved ring 112. The primary fluid then flows through the radialgrooves 115 where a second fluid is injected into each stream throughthe orifices 119 into each primary fluid stream. The fluid mixture ineach of the radial grooves 115 is then injected at high velocity intothe impact zone 121 to collide with each other and become completelymixed. The fluid mixture flows downward out of the impact zone 121 intothe short lower cylinder 120 and exits the fluid mixer 110 through theoutlet 123. Valve 117 regulates the amount of secondary fluid into themixer 110.

[0087]FIGS. 19 and 20 depict another embodiment of an fluid mixer 124employing a radial-grooved ring 128, a combination venturi-orifice ring129, and an impact zone 132 for mixing various fluids in accordance withthe present invention. The fluid mixer 124 consists of an upper housing125, a primary fluid inlet 126, a combination venturi-orifice ring 129,a radial-grooved ring 128, a secondary fluid inlet 134, a short lowercylinder 136, and a lower cylinder cap 137.

[0088] The operation of the dynamic mixer is similar to the operation ofthe other dynamic mixers previously discussed. A first or primary fluidenters the fluid mixer 124 through the inlet 126 and flows into thedistribution channel 127 around the radial-grooved ring 128. The primaryfluid then flows through the radial grooves 130 where a second fluid isdrawn into each stream by the venturi 133 through the orifices 131 intoeach primary fluid stream. The fluid mixture in each of the radialgrooves 130 is then injected at high velocity into the impact zone 132to collide with each other and become completely mixed. The fluidmixture flows downward out of the impact zone 132 into the short lowercylinder 136 and exits the fluid mixer 124 through the outlet 138. Valve135 regulates the amount of secondary fluid into the fluid mixer 124.

[0089]FIG. 21 provides three-dimensional illustration of a typicalradial-grooved ring 143 having 12 radial grooves 142 and a combinationventuri-orifice ring 140 having 12 orifices 139 and 12 venturi 141 tofit onto the radial-grooved ring 143 of a fluid mixer.

[0090] Although various embodiments have been shown and described, theinvention is not so limited and will be understood to include all suchmodifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cyclone filter for separating particles from afluid, comprising: a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for receivingthe fluid with the particles; a ring having a plurality of grooves, thering being concentric to the cylindrical chamber, the ring having anouter diameter on a first end that is smaller than a diameter of thecylindrical chamber, thus defining a distribution channel; anintermediate tube adapted to receive fluid from the grooves; acollection chamber having an upper cylindrical portion connected to asubstantially frustoconical portion, the collection chamber having asolids outlet located on a lower end of the frustoconical portion, anupper end of the upper cylindrical portion being connected to theintermediate tube; and a vortex finder tube being concentric with theintermediate tube thus defining a down-flow annulus on one end andhaving a fluid outlet on the other end extending upwardly out of thecylindrical chamber.
 2. The cyclone filter of claim 1 in which thegrooves in the ring are spiral.
 3. The cyclone filter of claim 1 inwhich an outer diameter on a second end of the ring is substantiallyequal to the diameter of the cylindrical chamber.
 4. The cyclone filterof claim 1 in which the ring has a depth substantially equal to a depthof the grooves therein.
 5. The cyclone filter of claim 1 in which anouter diameter of the second end of the ring is substantially equal to adiameter of the intermediate tube.
 6. The cyclone filter of claim 1further comprising: a deflector located within the upper cylindricalportion of the collection chamber to reverse the fluid flow and to forcethe particles into the lower frustoconical portion of collectionchamber.
 7. The cyclone filter of claim 1 in which the inlet is radiallydisposed on the cylindrical chamber.
 8. A method of separating particlesfrom a fluid stream comprising: passing the fluid with particles into aninlet of a cyclone filter; passing the fluid with particles through adistribution channel formed between an outside radius of a ring and alarger radius of a cylindrical chamber; passing the fluid with particlesthrough a plurality of grooves in the ring; spiraling the fluid withparticles down a downflow annulus formed between a vortex finder tubeand an intermediate tube; providing a collection chamber having acylindrical upper portion and a frustoconical lower portion; removingthe particles from the fluid by contacting the fluid with particles witha deflector located within the cylindrical upper portion of thecollection chamber, the fluid reversing direction upon contact with thedeflector; collecting the particles in the lower cylindrical portion ofthe collection chamber; and expelling the fluid through a fluid outletat an upper end of the vortex finder tube.
 9. The method of claim 8further comprising: removing the particles via an outlet located at abottom end of the frustoconical lower portion of the collection chamber.10. A cyclone filter for separating particles from a fluid comprising: acylindrical chamber having an inlet for receiving the fluid with theparticles; a ring having a plurality of grooves, the ring beingconcentric to the cylindrical chamber, the ring having an outer diameteron a first end that is smaller than a diameter of the cylindricalchamber, thus defining a distribution channel; a collection chamberhaving an upper cylindrical portion connected to a lower substantiallyfrustoconical portion, the collection chamber having a solids outletlocated on a lower end and having an upper end adapted to receive fluidfrom one grooves; and a tube being coaxial with the collection chamber,the tube having one end disposed inside the upper cylindrical portion ofthe collection chamber, the tube having another end extending upwardlyout of the cylindrical chamber.
 11. The cyclone filter of claim 10 inwhich the grooves in the ring spiral involutely.
 12. The cyclone filterof claim 10 in which the ring has a depth substantially equal to a depthof the grooves therein.
 13. The cyclone filter of claim 10 in which aninner diameter of the ring is substantially equal to a diameter an uppercylindrical end of the of the collection chamber.
 14. The cyclone filterof claim 10 in which the inlet is radially disposed on the cylindricalchamber.
 15. The cyclone filter of claim 10 in which the tube is avortex finder tube.
 16. The cyclone filter of claim 10 in which thegrooves in the ring spiral involutely.
 17. A method of separatingparticles from a fluid stream comprising: passing the fluid withparticles into an inlet of a cyclone filter; passing the fluid withparticles through a distribution channel formed between an outsideradius of a ring and a larger radius of a cylindrical chamber; passingthe fluid with particles through a plurality of grooves in the ring;spiraling the fluid with particles down a downflow annulus formedbetween a skirt and an upper cylindrical end of a collection chamber;spiraling the fluid with particles through the downflow annulus into alower frustoconical end of a collection chamber; removing the particlesfrom the fluid by reversing the direction of the fluid via a lowpressure of a vortex; collecting the particles in the lower cylindricalportion of the collection chamber; and expelling the fluid through afluid outlet at an upper end of the skirt.
 18. A cyclone filter forseparating particles from a fluid comprising: a cylindrical chamberhaving an inlet for receiving the fluid with the particles; a ringhaving a plurality of grooves, the ring being concentric to thecylindrical chamber; a collection chamber having an upper cylindricalportion connected to a lower substantially frustoconical portion, thecollection chamber having a solids outlet located on a lower end andhaving an upper end adapted to receive fluid from the grooves, the ringhaving an outer diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the uppercylindrical portion of collection chamber, thus defining a distributionchannel; and a skirt being coaxial with the collection chamber, theskirt having one end disposed inside the upper cylindrical portion ofthe collection chamber, the tube having another end extending upwardlyout of the upper cylindrical portion of the collection chamber.
 19. Thecyclone filter of claim 18 in which the grooves in the ring spiralinvolutely.
 20. The cyclone filter of claim 18 in which an innerdiameter of the ring is substantially equal to a diameter of the end ofthe skirt extending upwardly out of the upper cylindrical portion of thecollection chamber.
 21. The cyclone filter of claim 18 in which theinlet is radially disposed on the cylindrical chamber.
 22. The cyclonefilter of claim 18 in which the grooves in the ring spiral involutely.23. A method of separating particles from a fluid stream comprising:passing the fluid with particles into an inlet of a cyclone filter;passing the fluid with particles through a distribution channel formedbetween an outside radius of a ring and a larger radius of an uppercylindrical portion of a collection chamber; passing the fluid withparticles through a plurality of grooves in the ring; spiraling thefluid with particles down a downflow annulus formed between a skirt andan upper cylindrical end of a collection chamber; spiraling the fluidwith particles through the downflow annulus into a lower frustoconicalend of a collection chamber; removing the particles from the fluid byreversing the direction of the fluid via a negative pressure of avortex; collecting the particles in the lower cylindrical portion of thecollection chamber; and expelling the fluid through a fluid outlet at anupper end of the skirt.
 24. A fluid mixer to saturate liquids with gasescomprising: a cylindrical donut housing having a fluid inlet; a ringhaving a plurality of grooves, the ring being concentric to thecylindrical donut housing, the ring having an outer diameter on a firstend that is smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical donut housing,thus defining a distribution channel; a cylinder concentric with thering and surrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluid communicationwith the distribution channel via the grooves, the cylinder having a gasinlet to receive gas and a liquid outlet to discharge liquids; a porousgas diffuser disposed within the cylinder, the diffuser having animpervious flat top and shaped as an inverted cone, the diffuserconnected to a gas inlet; and a gas outlet for releasing excess gas. 25.The fluid mixer of claim 24 in which the grooves in the ring are spiral.26. The fluid mixer of claim 24 in which the grooves in the ring areradial.
 27. A method of mixing fluid to saturate liquids with gasescomprising: inserting fluid into a fluid mixer via a fluid inlet in acylindrical donut housing; flowing the fluid through a distributionchannel in a ring having a plurality of grooves, the ring beingconcentric to the cylindrical donut housing, the ring having an outerdiameter on a first end that is smaller than a diameter of thecylindrical donut housing thus defining the distribution channel;forcing the fluid in a downwardly spiral a cylinder by passing the fluidthrough the plurality of grooves and into the cylinder concentric withthe ring and surrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluid communicationwith the distribution channel via the grooves; inserting gas into thecylinder via a gas inlet, the gas passing through a porous gas diffuserdisposed within the cylinder, the diffuser having an impervious flattop; dissolving gas exiting the porous diffusion into pressurizedcirculating fluid, the fluid flowing in a generally downward spiraldirection, the gas bubbling upward; mixing the downward spiraling fluidwith the upwardly bubbling gas in a mixing zone in the cylinder; andremoving a fluid saturated with gas at a fluid outlet located on abottom surface of the cylinder.
 28. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising providing the diffuser having an inverted cone shape.
 29. Afluid mixer to saturate liquids with gases comprising: an upper housinghaving a cylindrical donut with a fluid inlet, the upper housing havinga gas separation chamber to separate excess gases from liquids fordischarging gas through a gas outlet on the upper housing; a ring havinga plurality of grooves, the ring being concentric to the cylindricaldonut housing, the ring having an outer diameter on a first end that issmaller than a diameter of the cylindrical donut housing, thus defininga distribution channel; an orifice ring adapted to inject gas in liquidleaving the grooves; and a cylinder concentric with the ring andsurrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluid communication with thedistribution channel via the grooves, a saturated liquid outlet beinglocated at a bottom of the cylinder.
 30. The fluid mixer of claim 29further comprising: a gas inlet meter at the gas inlet for regulatingthe amount of gas supplied; a gas outlet meter at the gas outlet forregulating the amount of saturated liquid exiting the cylinder.
 31. Thefluid mixer of claim 29 in which the grooves are radial.
 32. A method ofsaturating fluids with gases comprising: inserting fluid into a fluidmixer via a fluid inlet in an upper housing, the upper housing having acylindrical donut with the fluid inlet; flowing the fluid through adistribution channel in a ring having a plurality of grooves, the ringbeing concentric to the cylindrical donut housing, the ring having anouter diameter on a first end that is smaller than a diameter of thecylindrical donut housing thus defining the distribution channel;forcing the fluid in a downward in a cylinder by passing the fluidthrough the grooves and into the cylinder concentric with the ring andsurrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluid communication with thedistribution channel via the grooves; injecting gas to the fluid leavingthe grooves with an orifice ring in fluid communication with a gasinlet; separating excess gases from liquids in a gas separation chamberin the upper housing; discharging excess gases through a gas outlet onthe upper housing; and removing saturated liquid from the cylinder via asaturated liquid outlet located at the bottom of the cylinder.
 33. Themethod of claim 32 further comprising: regulating the amount of gasentering gas inlet of the orifice plate; and regulating the amount ofgas exiting the gas outlet.
 34. A fluid mixer to mix multiple fluidscomprising: an upper donut housing with a first fluid inlet, the upperhousing; a ring having a plurality of grooves, the ring being concentricto the upper donut housing, the ring having an outer diameter on a firstend that is smaller than a diameter of the donut housing thus defining adistribution channel; an orifice ring adapted to inject a second liquidinto the first liquid leaving the grooves; and a cylinder concentricwith the ring and surrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluidcommunication with the distribution channel via the grooves, a liquidoutlet being located at a bottom of the cylinder.
 35. The fluid mixer ofclaim 34 in which the grooves are radial.
 36. The fluid mixer of claim34 in which the orifice ring is a venturi-orifice ring.
 37. A method ofmixing fluids comprising: inserting a first fluid into a fluid mixer viaa first fluid inlet in an upper donut housing; flowing the fluid througha distribution channel in a ring having a plurality of grooves, the ringbeing concentric to the upper donut housing, the ring having an outerdiameter on a first end that is smaller than a diameter of the upperdonut housing thus defining the distribution channel; forcing the firstfluid in a downwardly spiral in a cylinder by passing the fluid throughthe grooves and into the cylinder, the cylinder concentric with the ringand surrounded by the ring, the cylinder in fluid communication with thedistribution channel via the grooves; injecting a second fluid into thefluid leaving the grooves with an orifice ring in fluid communicationwith a second fluid inlet; and removing the mixed fluid from thecylinder via a mixed fluid outlet located at the bottom of the cylinder.